The Life of a Fruit

He grows on a vine prepared to give back to the hungry,
Not knowing where his true path lies.
He grows amongst very many
And knows that they will soon part to embark on separate journeys.
He is excited to live his full life and experience the world.

~The harvest and sorting begins~

He's picked off the vine and placed to join the mass crowd,
Eagerness grows to know where he will go.
He waits for a destination to be determined,
Scared and aware that the scrutiny may send him to the dumps.
He can only be himself and hope for the best.

~When they don't meet the criteria~

He feels their fingers squeezing his body
And their eyes squint as they judge his worth
His fear arises, what will happen if I'm not enough?
He's relieved to be sent to the next judge,
He knows it's no guarantee of acceptance

~There's still worth in what has been ruled out~

The final judge turns him about,
Ruling that he is lacking in worth.
He's carelessly tossed aside.
He steels himself to become trash.
A gentle hand picks him up
Promising a different place to share his worth

Recently, I started purchasing snacks from a company that freeze-dry unwanted fruits and vegetables. I've wondered how humans could be so judgemental of what tries to give back to us. I can't immediately throw away a fruit when it's bruised or starting to rot because there are still many gifts that can be salvaged. In many ways, we, too, are like the fruits. Growing to become, entering the world to be judged and risking the chance of rejection, yet doing our best to be who we are.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”― Ralph Waldo

" Acceptance looks like a passive state, but in reality, it brings something entirely new into this world. That peace, a subtle energy vibration, is consciousness." - Eckhart Tolle